Leia’s Kids donates to family

DONATION MADE —
Leia’s Kids, a Jefferson County-based nonprofit foundation that helps provide hope and support to children and their families battling childhood cancer, made its fifth donation since having been founded in 2017. The recipient of the $1,000 Crown A Kid donation went to the James and Veronica Hudson family of Rayland for son Gavin, 18 months old, who is undergoing treatment for stage IV Neuroblastoma. On hand for the presentation made Feb. 6 were, James Hudson, Gavin’s father, with family members, including mother-in-law Lori Murray , left, with Gavin’s siblings, Zoe and Abby, and James’ mother, Paula, right.
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WINTERSVILLE — Leia’s Kids, a Jefferson County-based nonprofit, 501(c)(3) foundation established in 2017 to provide hope and support to children and their families battling childhood cancer, has made its fifth $1,000 Crown A Kid donation.

A check presentation recently was made to Gavin Hudson and his family of Rayland. Gavin is 18 months old and was diagnosed in May of 2018 with stage IV Neuroblastoma. He is continuing to undergo treatment at Akron Children’s Hospital.

“Leia’s Kids donated to Gavin Hudson and his family on Feb. 6,” explained Leia T. Hunt, the nonprofit’s founder and a two-time childhood cancer survivor who is “passionate about inspiring hope and supporting other children battling childhood cancer.”

Gavin and his family reside in Rayland, but Gavin lives in the hospital with his mother, Veronica, where no visitors are allowed, according to Hunt. Leia’s Kids presented the check to James, Gavin’s father, and family. Gavin has been hospitalized since Nov. 12

“Gavin is very sick and could use any help people can give,” Hunt noted. “Gavin has undergone chemotherapy, tumor removal surgery, immunotherapy and cell transplants and plans to have 12 rounds of radiation therapy.”

“We are blessed to have someone feel the need to help our family,” said James Hudson. “God has blessed us and has touched our son with healing.”

“Leia’s Kids would not be where we are today without the support from our community and sponsors,” noted Hunt. “We thank all our Crown A Kid families for believing in Leia’s Kids. Unifying as a family and having faith is so very crucial for the fight against childhood cancer. Leia’s Kids’ mission is to raise money and awareness to childhood cancer, but also to bring a light of hope to children and their families,” she added.

Hunt was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer, when she was 2. She had 31 surgical procedures, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and ultimately the insertion of a radioactive plaque in her left eye. The radiation ultimately defeated her cancer but left her blind in the left eye.

This marks the fifth $1,000 Crown A Kid donation in the past year.

“We have two other children who we are ready to donate to once we have the funds,” she said. “We are actively looking for more community and corporate donors.”

Donations are tax-deductible. For information, visit the Facebook page Leia’s Kids of the website at www.Leiaskids.org